Nasarawa state has partnered with UNICEF to combine polio vaccination with nutrition services, targeting 1.5 million children
The Nasarawa State Government has partnered with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), to integrate nutrition and other basic health services into the upcoming polio outbreak response campaign through designated health camps.
This was revealed at a media dialogue on the campaign by the Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NAPHDA), Dr. Usman Saleh, in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital.
Dr. Saleh, represented by Mr. Sunday Ayitonu, Director of Administration and Human Resources at the agency, explained that the campaign would run from May 2 to May 5 across the state.
According to him, the media engagement was targeted at reviewing the last campaign, which recorded 93 per cent coverage, stating that more efforts were needed to achieve optimal results.
The executive secretary further narrated that cases of acute malnutrition were discovered during the previous vaccination exercise, prompting the introduction of health camps in selected areas to address malnutrition and provide minor healthcare services.
He said, “Our target is to reach at least 1.5 million eligible children, and achieving this requires disseminating accurate and timely information to all segments of society.”
Earlier, Mrs. Salome Aya, Director of Nutrition at NAPHDA, explained that the intervention would be implemented in four local government areas; Awe, Nasarawa, Keffi and Toto.
She stated that the health camps would provide nutrition services and treatment for minor illnesses, adding that children identified as malnourished during vaccination would be referred to the camps and treated.
According to her, Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), provided by UNICEF, will be administered to affected children at the camps.
She said that the intervention would initially be piloted in 50 per cent of wards in the selected LGAs, focusing mainly on rural and hard-to-reach communities.
On his part, Dr Ahmed Tsofo, Health Specialist on Immunisation with UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, stated that the campaign was targeted at preventing the spread of polio among children aged zero to 59 months.
“The disease spreads through contaminated food and water, and poor sanitation contributes significantly to its persistence,” he stated.
He admonished the media to intensify public enlightenment, counter misinformation and encourage caregivers to present their children for vaccination.
“The media should educate the public on the benefits and safety of the vaccine, and also publicise the campaign to ensure maximum participation,” he concluded.
Stakeholders at the event called for collective efforts to ensure that no eligible child was missed during the campaign.